Thursday 29 March 2012 Douc Langur - Endangered Colorful Asian Monkey

The douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus) is also known as the red-shanked douc or the costumed ape. The word "douc" is pronounced "dook." This endearing but endangered monkey lives in the forests of Southeast Asia and can still be found in decreasing numbers in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. The douc labor relies on forests for food, sleeping sites and protection.

The douc langur is endangered due to their forests being cut down and due to poaching. The population almost went extinct during the Vietnam War because the plant-killing chemical Agent Orange decimated the douc langur’s forests. Although protected by international law, douc langurs are still hunted for meat and for the illegal pet trade. Their body parts are also used in traditional medicine and magic spells. Birds of prey hunt the babies.

Physical Description

Douc langurs are slender monkeys with rangy limbs. They sport a blue-gray body with rusty red hind legs and cheeks. Their rounded, hairless golden faces are fringed with a white ruff and whiskers. Their eyes are dark brown. Their long tails, which act as a fifth limb, are blue-grey with a white tip. Baby douc langurs are often born tan or a pale rusty red and acquire their adult coloring as they mature.

Both males and females look alike, but males are larger and heavier. Males grow to be 22 to 26. 45 pounds (10 to 12 kilograms) while females only tip the scales at 11 to 17.6 pounds (5 to 8 kia/">Sirenia